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Most & Least Educated States

Scholaroo analyzed the states with the highest and lowest levels of education on two factors: educational level and school quality.


Recognizing the significance of education is crucial, not only for creating additional opportunities and securing a comfortable future but also for fostering a robust and prosperous economy. In the United States, individuals with university degrees generally earn approximately $26,000 more annually than those who have only completed high school.

Scholaroo’s data team embarked on a quest to identify the states with the highest levels of education in the country. Their analysis focused on two key elements: the number of individuals who successfully completed their studies and the quality of educational institutions. Additional details were examined to provide a comprehensive overview.

Also read: States with Best & Worst Public School Systems

This report unveils compelling insights into the states boasting the most educated populace and the top-notch educational institutions. Consider it a guide to pinpoint regions where individuals excel in reading and learning. To get started, simply interact with the map provided below!

Rankings of Most & Least Educated States

Category Breakdown

Methodology

In order to determine the most and least educated states in America, Scholaroo compared the 50 states across two key dimensions:

  1. Educational Attainment
  2. School Quality

We evaluated those dimensions using 19 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weight. Each metric was graded on a 100 point scale, with a score of 100 being the max.

Finally, we determined each state’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.


Educational Attainment (50 points)

Share of Apprenticeships: Regular Weight (7.69 points)

Note: This metric measures the number of apprenticeships per 100k people.

Share of Partial College Experience: Half Weight (3.85 points)

Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults with partial college experience.

Share of Master Program Graduates: Double Weight (15.38 points)

Note: This metric measures the percentage of the population of adults with a Master’s Degree.

Share of Doctoral Program Graduates: Double Weight (15.38 points)

Note: This metric measures the percentage of the population of adults with a Doctoral or Professional Degree.

Literacy Rate: Half Weight (3.85 points)

Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults who scored a Level 3 or more in the U.S. PIAAC Literacy Proficiency. Adults at this level can understand, interpret, and synthesize information across multiple, complex texts.

Numeracy Rate: Half Weight (3.85 points)

Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults who scored a Level 3 or more in the U.S. PIAAC Numeracy Proficiency. Adults at this level can be considered proficient at working with mathematical information and ideas.

School Quality (50 points)

Best & Worst School Systems: Double Weight (8.33 points)

Note: This metric is based on Scholaroo’s Student Success Ranking.

Share of Top Universities per State: Half Weight (2.08 points)

Note: This metric measures the percentage of presence of Colleges/Universities in the top 500 America’s Top Colleges List by Forbes.

High School Graduation Rate: Regular Weight (4.17 points)

Note: This metric measures the rate of High School graduation.

College Graduation Rate: Regular Weight (4.17 points)

Note: This metric measures the rate of undergrads who graduated within 6 years.

College-Going Rates: Regular Weight (4.17 points)

Note: This metric measures the percentage of High School graduates going directly to College.

Number of Colleges/Universities: Half Weight (2.08 points)

Note: This metric measures the number of Colleges/Universities per 100k adults.

SAT Scores: Double Weight (15.38 points)

Note: This metric measures the average SAT score of High School Seniors.

ACT Scores: Double Weight (15.38 points)

Note: This metric measures the average ACT score of High School Seniors.

AP Exam Scores: Regular Weight (4.17 points)

Note: This metric measures the percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher on an AP exam.

Financial Literacy: Half Weight (2.08 points)

Note: This metric represents the Financial Literacy rates among residents (from high school and over).

Health Literacy: Half Weight (2.08 points)

Note: This metric represents the median in the Health IQ Score.